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SENATE WORKS TO STRENGTHEN DWI LAWS

FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR KENNETH P. LAVALLE

6/12/2008

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today announced that the Senate has passed a package of bills that would strengthen New York’s Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) laws. The bills would upgrade penalties, increase sanctions, and combat underage drinking.

“It is critical to the safety of motorists that we continue to strengthen our DWI laws to ensure those who would endanger the lives of others are kept off the road,” said Senator LaValle.

According to Senator LaValle, one of the measures passed would strengthen the penalties for vehicular assault and vehicular murder by adding a reckless driving element to the crime. A person would be guilty of the crime if he or she recklessly causes severe injury or kills someone when driving while intoxicated. Another measure would create a “social host” liability for individuals who permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on their property by persons under 21 years of age. The bill adds penalties of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and for the third and any subsequent offense, a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for no less than one year, or both. Local governments would also be allowed to enact and enforce stronger laws. In addition, a measure sponsored by Senator LaValle would create a mandatory minimum period of license revocation of one year upon the first conviction of driving while intoxicated. The bill also doubles the minimum period of license revocation for certain other DWI convictions.

“Most people would find losing their driving privileges for any length of time disruptive. The thought of having one’s license revoked for a full year would make a person think twice before getting behind the wheel of a car with their ability impaired," said Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. “Adding teeth to New York’s DWI laws will help make our roadways safer and ensure that drunk drivers are held responsible for their careless actions.”